| Hypoglycemia for small dogs is one of the most | | | | will serve as a satisfactory supplementation. As |
| dangerous and deadly conditions that a toy breed | | | | your puppy grows and gets bigger, the risk |
| puppy can encounter. If you are considering | | | | factors for hypoglycemia will diminish. With a |
| purchasing a toy breed dog you should consider | | | | proper diet and continued care your puppy's teeth |
| doing some research on hypoglycemia in puppies | | | | will get stronger, their body will begin to store fat, |
| before bringing your new puppy home. It could | | | | and their immune system will mature. Eventually, |
| make the difference in saving your puppy's life. | | | | the risks of hypoglycemia will become minimal and |
| Hypoglycemia in simpler terms means low blood | | | | your puppy can continue life as any other happy |
| sugar. Glucose in the form of sugar is found within | | | | and healthy puppy. |
| your puppy's bloodstream. Glucose is formed | | | | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & RESOURCES |
| during the digestion of food, which can then be | | | | Hypoglycemia is defined as a blood glucose or |
| stored within your puppy's liver in the form of | | | | blood sugar concentration of less than 70 |
| glycogen. | | | | milligrams per deciliter(mg/dl) of blood. Symptoms |
| Inadequate nutrition is a contributing source of | | | | depend on how quickly the blood glucose |
| hypoglycemia or low blood sugar in puppies. | | | | concentration decreases but rarely occur until it |
| Inadequate nutrition can be caused by not enough | | | | falls below 50 mg/dl. |
| intake of food or feeding your puppy poor quality | | | | Contributing "Triggers" for Hypoglycemic Attacks: |
| 'un-digestible' food. Additionally, excessive activity | | | | * Cold temperatures |
| or exercise can also cause your puppy's body to | | | | * Intestinal parasites |
| use more sugar than is available. Juvenile | | | | * Digestive upsets that prevent absorption of |
| hypoglycemia may be suspected when puppies, | | | | nutrients |
| especially toy breeds such as Chihuahua, Yorkshire | | | | * Illness resulting in a diminishing appetite |
| Terriers, and Toy Poodles show signs of | | | | * Moving to a new environment |
| weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases | | | | * Anything that puts a strain or stress on your |
| of juvenile hypoglycemia in your puppy can result | | | | puppy |
| in a coma or death. Puppies less than 3 or 4 | | | | Signs Your Puppy May Be Suffering a |
| months of age require strong blood sugar levels | | | | Hypoglycemic Attack: |
| while their immature systems sometimes lack the | | | | * Weakness, lack of energy |
| ability to regulate glucose. | | | | * Lack of coordination |
| If your puppy is sluggish due to low blood sugar, it | | | | * Disoriented |
| is imperative to immediately provide your puppy a | | | | * Froth at the mouth |
| source of sugar. Karo Syrup and honey are | | | | * Seizure |
| fabulous sources of sugar and should be fed to | | | | Good Sources of Sugar to "Boost" Your Puppies |
| your puppy immediately. Following a hypoglycemic | | | | Blood Sugar: |
| episode you should have a thorough exam | | | | * Karo syrup |
| performed by a licensed veterinarian. Your | | | | * Honey |
| veterinarian?s exam will help determine if the low | | | | * Sugar water |
| blood sugar is simply the result of inadequate | | | | * Nutrical |
| nutrition or a more severe underlying disease. | | | | IMPORTANT INFORMATIONAL TIP: |
| After a hypoglycemic episode, you will want to | | | | Even if your puppy is too lethargic to swallow, |
| monitor your puppy's food intake and be aware | | | | these products can be absorbed into the tissues if |
| of any changes in your puppy's energy level. If | | | | smeared on the gums and in the roof of the |
| your puppy is initially reluctant to return to their | | | | mouth. |
| normal eating habits, feeding them boiled chicken | | | | |